Airship.



R. R. ZELL.

AIRSHIP.

armenio!! num un. 1v, 1911. l' 1,033,510. Patented July 23, 1912.

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AIBSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED HAB. 17, 1911. 1,033,510. Patented July 23,1912.

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R. R. ZELL.

AIBSHIP.

APPLICATION FILED IAB. 17, 1911. 1,033,5 10. Patented July 23, 1912.

UNITED STATES PATENT onirica.l

ROBERT ROSS ZELL, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, ASSIGNOR T ZELL AER'OMOBILE COMPANY, OF BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, A CORPORATION 0F ARIZONA.

AIRSHIP.

Application led March 17, 1911.

n To all whom t may concern.'A

Be it known that I, ROBERT Ross ZELL, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at'the city of Birmingham, State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Airships, of which ,the following is a specification.

i This invention relates to air-ships of the heavier than air type. Vehicles of thls \nature are subject to numerous defects, the

prmcipal of which are a tendency to eapsize in turning, whereby the supportingV planes approach the vertical and the machine falls; a greater or less tendency to descend rapidly when the motor stops; and

the extreme difliculty with which they may necessary speed to bring its lifting planes into operation as is the case with all the heavier than airships'or aeroplanes now in use.

One of the most apparent defects, common to all heavier than air machines, is one to which I refer, that of getting them to mount. They must be propelled along the ground and their speed accelerated until the vertical component of the resistance of the -air on'the planes becomesl equal to or greater than the weight of the machine. Tov eliminate the necessity for generating the lifting force by acceleration in a horizontal direction, I make-the propeller adjustable along a vertical are so that its axis may bedeflected downward at any desired angle with the horizontal. To this same end I find it desirable to pivot the lifting planes so that they may be adjusted about a transverse axis which is preferably through their center of effort. To cause the machine to rise directly olf the ground, I have merely toadjust the lifting planes Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 23, 1912.

Serial No. 615,137.`

to the proper angle, swing the propeller downward and give it rotation. These features are described, shown and claimed in a co-pending application, Serial No. 703,645.

To keep the machine on an even keel in making curves, etc., I provide separate 'controlling means for the planes on each side of the machine, so that they may be rotated about the transverse aXis on which they are pivoted, to give the planes on one side a different angle of incidence from those on the other side. In making changes of direction and rounding curves, the outside plane can 'be tipped downward and the inside plane upward. Thus the tendency to tip, which ordinarily throws the outside of the machine up and the inside down, is

counteracted. It will be apparent that in making such turns, an appreciable amount of centrifugal force is brought to bear on the machine, and that to maintain the. machine on an leven keel, would reduce its resistance to such centrifugal force. .To prevent defiection of the machine from its course, and for other purposes, as'steering, I make the propeller adjustable laterally as well as vertically, so that in making curves, it may be swung outward to counteract the centrifugal tendency. It thus becomes necessary to adjust the propeller both vertically and laterally, and so universally. A practical ditiiculty to be overcome in pro- .viding such adjustment of the propeller, is

that with the high speed of rotation necessary for this kind of work, are ineffective and short-lived.

An important feature of my invention is a means for mounting and supporting the propeller so that it may be universally adjusted, and at the same time directly con nected to the motor so that universal adjustment can be provided without interfering with the regularity and certainty-of operation of the propelling gear. To this end I mount the propeller and motor on horizontal trunnions transverse to the direction of travel of the machine, and passing through the center of gravity of the combined mass of the motor, propeller and connections. These trunnions are journaled in a movable frame which is itself mounted on vertical pivots. Thus the engine and jointed shafts i propeller may be swung in a vertical arc about the trunnion bearings in the movable frame, and the frame, engine, propeller and all may be rotated about the vertical pivots which are journaled in the main frame. y A

vertical arcuate guide for the propeller` is secured to the movable frame carrying the trunnion bearings; a horizontal arcuate Awhich I, have described as pivoted on a transverse axis, so that the frame is sus. pended pendulum-wise from the center of effort of the planes. By this arrangement I establish a tendency in the machine to right itself, whenever the center of gravity is deflected from a vertical line, throughl the center of effort of the planes.

A` preferred embodiment of my invention is shown in the accompanying` drawings, of which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of the machine, certain parts being removed for convenience in illustration. Fig. 2 is a top plan of the machine, the parachute and stationary triplane being removed. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 shows the engine, frame, propeller, clutch and vertical circular guide in plan, the movable frame carrying the engine being cross-sectioned. Referring to the drawings, the machine, as shown consists of a main frame or fuse lage 1, the top 2 of which is concave downward to form a parachute. Mounted within and beneath the parachute is a stationary triplane 3. A shaft 4 shown as broken away -to disclose the controller ropes,

is mounted in the fuselage, and extends transversely thereof near its longitudinal center.

Y Journaled on thisshaft at each side of the fuselage, the shaft passing through or near its center of area, is lifting plane 5. In the embodiment of my invention illustrated, these lifting planes are shown as triplanes.

Secured one to eachof the triplanc '51 concentric with the shaft 4, are toothed gears 6. A gear 7 on Shaft 7 paralle] -to the shaft 4 cooperates with each of the toot-hed gears 6. Mounted on the shaft. 7l of each gear 7 is a gear 8 engaged .by a chain 9 which leads forward over gear l0 on a transverse shaft l1. Each of the shafts l1 carries :i hand-wheel 12, one of which is on each side of the plolfe seat 13. It will time be appart-ni that the lifting' planes may be rotated independently of each other vrelatively tothe main frame about a transverse axis passing through their centers, and as,l

bearings '18, carried by a frame 19 which is itself mounted on vertical pivots 20 on the main frame to swing laterally relatively thereto. The frame 19 carries a vertical arcuate guide 21 secured thereto' by means of braces 22. The guide is concentric wit-h the journal 18 and serves asa track for the propeller` bearing 23. Concentric with the vertical pivot 20 and secured to the main frame, is a horizontal arcuate guide or track 24.

This track is engaged by"a roller 25 carried by the vertical guide.'- i The operation of the universal adjustment of the propeller will be apparent As the engine and propeller are swung laterally the vertical guide moves from side to side over the horizontal track. As they" are swung vertically, the propeller bearing moves up and down in the vertical guide.;

The posit-ion of the propellems controlled by means of hand-wheels 26 and 27 in front of the pilot-s seat, one at eachhand. Connected to each wheel is a drum 28 over which run two or three turns of a rope drive. The rope 29 which engages ,the drum 28 of the hand-wheel 26, is connected to eachvside of the upright guide 21, passes over idlers 30, one at each side of the frame, and then forward to guide 31 and to the drum 28 vIt will'V be apparent that by operation of the handwheel 2G, thevertical guide 20 can be moved back and forth on the track 24. At the same time the propeller will be moved from side to side, the propeller and engine being oscillated about-'the vertical axis through the center of gravity of their combined masses.

The drive rope 32 attached to the drum 28 of the hand-wheel 27, passes over the pulley 33 on the vertical guide. The rope 32 serves to adjust the propeller to any desired position.

For the purpose of controlling the machine and steeringr -it laterally, I provide wing planes 35. one on each side of the rear ofthe machine, mounted in vertical pivots. The position of these planes is controlled by inea-n s of drive ropes 256 ran- Vning over pulleys 37 and 38" the put toys 37 being on the shafts 39 which carry the Wing planes. The ropes 36 pass over the reel. 40 controlled by handwheel 41 in front of the pilot.

In starting the machine from the ground, the preferred method of operation is to swing one wing plane outward on the side on which it is mounted so as to cause the machine to take a course toward the side of the deflected plane. The lifting planes are then inclined to a similar angle, their forward edges being lifted, the propeller is thrown down and started, and the machine rises in a spiral course lifted by the inclined planes and propeller and deflected by the wing plane.

As shown, the machine is provided with a foreplane 43 pivotcd at 44, and adjusted b v means of drive rope 45 on ,drum 4G 7 controlled by hand-wheel 47, and a t'ailplane "4S pivoted at 49, and preferably formed with a quadrant engaging a pinion 5l operated by drive rope 52 running over the drum 46. These are for partially controllingr the course of the machine in 'a vertical plane and either are supplementary to the propeller and liftino planes.

lVhen tile machine alights, it ordinarily has a certain amount ot' for vard velocity which must be gradually reduced. It is also dillicult to prevent some slight shock on landing. For these purposes I have provided a skid 55 of an improved type. The skid consists of a pair of runners 56 provided at each extremity with loops or links 57. Overlying each runner is a .spring '58 which passes through the loops and is secured centrally to the bottom of the main frame at 59 A double bowspring 60 on each side of the skid, between the runner and the spring 58, is pivoted centrally of each bow at the `bottom to the runner at 6l and at the top to the main frame at 62 The melnbers of the double bow 60 are pivotally connected at their extremities at 62, and these pivots, as shown, are connected to the frame by chains (34. The pivots 63 also serve as the journals for wheels t (35 which engage the earth when the skid is under abnormal pres sure.

The propeller shaft 16 is shown as pro vided with a clutch 6T for throwing the motor into and out of gear with the propeller. This clutch is controlled by a lever 68, operated by a treadle G9, connected thereto by a rot 70 The operation of the air ship will be apl parent from the description of its various features. I have thus set forth in detail a single embodiment of my invention in order that its nature and operation may be fully understood. However, the form and numbers of the parts may be widely varied, different non-essential features may be dispensed with or others substituted for them. The specific terms are used in their descriptive rather than their limiting sense, and the scope of the invention 'is defined in the claims.

I claimf 1. In an airship, a propeller and driving gear therefor, the propeller and driving gear being universally adjustable about the center of gratv of their combined mass, a horizontal arcuate guide on the frame, and an upright arcuate guide for the propeller, suspended from the horizontal guide and traveling thereon, both guides being concentric with the center of gravity of the propeller and driving gear.

2. In an airs-hip in combination a propeller and driving' gear therefor, the propeller being universally adjustable, a horizontal arcuate guide and a vertical arcuate guide for the propeller, the vertical guideV sus pended from and traveling on the horizontal guide.

3. In an airship in combination a mainr frame, a propeller, a motor, a motor frame, horizontal trunnions supporting the motor and having bearings in the motor frame, vertical pivots supporting the motor frame onV the main frame, a horizontal arcuate guide concentric with the vertical pivots and secured to the main frame, a vertical arcuate guide concentric with the trunnions and suspended from and traveling on the horizontal guide.

4. In an airship in combination a main frame, a propeller, a motor, a motor frame mounted to swing in a horizontal plane relatively to the main frame, the motor being mounted to swing in a vertical plane relatively to the motor fraaie, a horizontal arcuate guide secured to the main frame concentric with the axis about which the motor frame swings, a vertical arcuate guide for the propeller concentric with the trun nions and secured to the motor frame suspended from and traveling on the horizontal guide. Y

In an airship in combination a main frame, a propeller, a motor, a motor frame mounted to swing in a horizontal plane relatively to the main frame, the motor mounted in its frame to swing in a vertical plane relatively thereto, a horizontal arcuate guidev secured to the main frame concentric with the axis about. which the motor` frame swings, a vertical arcuate guide for the propeller concentric with the trnnnion secured to the motor frame, suspended from and traveling on the horizontal guide, the axes of the trunnions and the motor frame passing near the center of gravity of the combined masses of the motor and propeller.

6. In an aeroplane, a propeller, a motor, a driving shaft connecting the motor and propeller, universally adjustable means supporting the motor and propeller, a horizontal guide on` the frame, and an upright arcuate guide for the propeller traveling on the horizontal guide.

7. In an airship, in combination a main frame, a ropeller, a motor, a motor frame, horizonta trunnions supporting the motor and having bearings in the motor frame, vertical pivots connecting the motor frame to the main frame, a horizontal guide seon the horizontal guide.

Signed by me at State of Alabama,

ary 1911.

ROBERT ROSS ZELL.

city of Birmingham, this 10th day of Febru- Witnesses:

H. LINDEN ZELL7 J. B. STAGG 

